KaseKlosed Killer4 Round Mock Draft (With Trades)

[KaseKlosed]

After a season marked by grit, growth, and some hard-learned lessons, it’s clear we’re still in the middle of a reset. The foundation is in place we’ve got our quarterback. But now it’s about surrounding him with the right support, fixing what’s broken, and doubling down on what we do well. The 2025 NFL Draft gives us a golden opportunity to fill critical holes and elevate this roster the way we’ve seen aggressive front offices do in the past.

State of the Roster: Where We Hurt

Wide Receiver Room: Despite signs of growth, we’re still missing a true separator and YAC threat. Adam Thielen can’t carry the WR1 load at this stage if we want our offense to scare anyone at any time. 

Edge Rush: Brian Burns’ departure and injury to Brown left us thin. We need juice off the edge.

Cornerback Depth: Injuries exposed how thin we are beyond Jaycee Horn, who himself has had trouble staying on the field.

2025 Draft Class Overview
This year’s draft class lines up nicely with what we need:

There’s a strong group of dynamic WRs, including versatile slot weapons and deep threats.

At edge rusher, while top-heavy, there’s solid value in Rounds 2-4.

And the cornerback class? Long, athletic, sticky defenders all over Day 2.

Our Draft Philosophy: Panther DNA
Historically, Carolina has leaned into high-upside athletes and raw tools—think Cam Newton, Brian Burns, and more recently, Xavier Leggette. We've shown willingness to trade up when the board demands it and we've also stood pat and let talent fall to us when the value was right. We also show that we like to dance around the draft board making moves to grab the guys we desire. 

Mock Draft Strategy

Explosive Weapons – If the board falls right, we’re targeting a WR2 with WR1 upside. Somebody who can separate, stretch the field, and give Bryce a security blanket.

Defensive Speed – Edge & DB are on the radar, and we’re looking for motor, range, and IQ field general. 

Mid-Round Gems – We’ll be aggressive in Rounds 3-5 to grab value. Think situational pass rushers, ball-hawking DBs, or special teams aces with upside.



 

Matthew GoldenWRTexas

Height: 5 - 11 |Weight: 191 lbs |RAS: N/A

Though he broke out late as a 2025 NFL Draft prospect, Matthew Golden has plenty of desirable qualities as a potential high-end movement-Z and impact starter at the NFL level. At 5'11", 191 pounds, Golden's 4.29 40-yard dash has caused many to bill him as a speed WR primarily, but that's a misconception. He certainly has high-end speed and burst, but he wins with his fluid and twitched-up mobility as a separator, and his liquid-smooth catch-point skills. With a vast route tree, a prolific separation framework, slippery RAC ability, and stalwart conversion skills, Golden is a complete offensive catalyst, in the mold of Chris Olave or T.Y. Hilton.


 

Kenneth GrantDTMichigan

Height: 6 - 3 |Weight: 331 lbs |RAS: 7.17

Kenneth Grant is one of the most explosive DT prospects over 330 pounds to enter the NFL Draft. He fits into a rare player category with his high-level blend of size, burst, and power. With his size and lower body strength, he demands significant attention from opposing offensive lines on a snap-to-snap basis, particularly in the run game. His physical profile is ideal for eating blockers, freeing up linemates and the linebackers navigating traffic behind him, and he can also ID blocks and stack-and-shed with his length. On top of his easily visible run defense utility, Grant also flashes brightly as a pass-rusher, showcasing impressive agility, fluidity, and torquing freedom for his size. He has room to further refine his pass-rush ability, and conditioning will be a constant point of emphasis, but Grant is a unique two-phase talent at nose tackle, who could grow to be a high-end starter within his niche.

 

Carson SchwesingerLBUCLA

Height: 6 - 2 |Weight: 242 lbs |RAS: N/A

Carson Schwesinger is a dynamic linebacker known for his high football IQ and relentless playing style. He combines impressive lateral agility with a quick first step, enabling him to navigate through traffic and make plays sideline to sideline effectively. His instincts shine in both run defense and pass coverage, as he excels at reading plays, maintaining proper positioning, and disrupting passing lanes. There are some concerns over his experience as a starter, and he is sometimes overly ambitious when it comes to his tackling angles. Additionally, his play strength taking on blocks can also improve. That said, Schwesinger’s tackling is generally reliable, and he brings added value as a blitzer, demonstrating a knack for pressuring quarterbacks. His IQ inside the box and playmaking response, combined with his high-level zone coverage feel, gives him impact starter upside.


 

Kyle KennardEDGESouth Carolina

Height: 6 - 4 |Weight: 254 lbs |RAS: 8.57

Kyle Kennard has plenty of traits to like. He has a lean frame with compact mass and excellent length. He’s also an explosive athlete with quickness, speed, and agility. As a pass rusher, Kennard primarily wins with his length and burst. He’s at his best when lined up wide, allowing him to use his quick get-off to beat offensive tackles around the edge and finish with his length. Kennard’s best attribute is his length. He uses it effectively to keep his frame clear and flashes a well-timed, efficient punch. He has a solid dip-and-rip move, and his combination of burst, length, and mass also shows up as a speed-to-power boon. Kennard is a bit high-hipped, which can reduce his maximum bend capacity, and he can better apply his power in run defense, but he's a productive pass-rusher with an exciting developmental skill set.
 

Jacob ParrishCBKansas State

Height: 5 - 9 |Weight: 191 lbs |RAS: 8.82

Jacob Parrish has slightly below-average size and length. He is a three-year starter who saw playing time early as a true freshman. A good tackler who takes good angles to the ball and has good tackling technique. Above-average on-ball production with 13 career pass breakups and five interceptions. An effective blitzer who can put pressure on the QB. A willing run defender who makes plays around the line of scrimmage but can sometimes get outmatched. A good man corner who has clean footwork and a nice backpedal. Does a nice job of reading route combinations and reacting to what’s in front of him in zone.

Pick-by-Pick Breakdown + Analytical Intent

1.11 – Matthew Golden, WR, Texas

Analytics Angle: Separation + YAC = QB Efficiency Spike
Golden isn’t just a flashy pick—he’s a data-driven solution. He likely graded high in advanced metrics like:

• Separation rate vs man coverage

• Explosive play percentage

• First downs per target

With Bryce Young under pressure and throwing into tight windows, Golden gives him a separator who creates easy completions and turns short throws into big gains. This is a high-floor, high-upside WR investment built to raise your QB’s EPA/play immediately.

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2.43 – Kenneth Grant, DT, Michigan

Analytics Angle: Run Defense Win Rate + Pocket Disruption
Grant is a game wrecker inside, and the data loves him for:

• Double-team success rate

• Pressure rate from the nose

• Run stop win rate

This pick screams: we’re tired of getting bullied up front. Grant anchors the interior with top-tier leverage and explosiveness—plugging a huge hole in the Panthers’ trench play. His presence also allows linebackers to flow more freely—indirect impact that shows up in defensive success rate.

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2.57 – Carson Schwesinger, LB, UCLA

Analytics Angle: Range + Coverage = Modern LB Gold
Assuming Schwesinger fits this archetype (likely athletic with strong coverage instincts), this pick is all about:

• Tackles within 3 yards of LOS

• Target EPA allowed

• Coverage snaps without missed assignment

Modern defenses live and die by how well linebackers cover ground and cover tight ends/RBs. This pick adds functional speed and diagnostic instinct, making the second level less of a liability.

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3.74 – Kyle Kennard, EDGE, South Carolina

Analytics Angle: Pressure Rate > Sack Totals
EDGE prospects like Kennard fly under the radar in box score scouting, but analytics love:

• Pass-rush win rate

• Hurry-to-pressure conversion

• Snap-to-impact quickness

This is a value pick that aligns with the analytical truth: pressures matter more than sacks. Kennard gives you a rotational pass rusher who affects the QB even when he doesn’t get home.

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4.114 – Jacob Parrish, CB, Kansas State

Analytics Angle: Ball Skills + Movement Efficiency
Parrish is a sleeper DB whose value likely pops in:

• Passer rating allowed when targeted

• PDs per coverage snap

• Missed tackle rate

Late-round CBs who can play zone, stick in man, and tackle are incredibly valuable on special teams and as CB4/5 depth. This is a smart bet on upside and immediate utility.

[rebelrouser]

That is a good looking first four. 

[Steves89]

I’d give this post two pies if I could. Really solid write up. I also really like the pick. Golden is my top wr in the draft and honestly is better at wr than most edge players are at edge. I like grant too. This is pretty much the draft I want

[Bear Hands]

Fun write up. 

I like the idea of Golden for us but I’m just unsure if that’s where our FO’s head is at Round 1. Think he could be a great fit for our offense.

So this scenario assumes SF trades 43 and 11 for 8?

Ill be honest, not the biggest Kennard fan but otherwise good stuff.

[jfra78]

24 minutes ago, Bear Hands said:

Fun write up. 

I like the idea of Golden for us but I’m just unsure if that’s where our FO’s head is at Round 1. Think he could be a great fit for our offense.

So this scenario assumes SF trades 43 and 11 for 8?

Ill be honest, not the biggest Kennard fan but otherwise good stuff.

They didnt show the trade but it might have included 111

[Waldo]

I would rather have the FS than Golden. Golden looks solid, like him more than Tet from what I have seen. Still not ending up with the best playable immediately talent on the D would be a hard fail in round 1. The D's free agency injection was a start but not close enough to where it needs to be.

[Bear Hands]

20 minutes ago, jfra78 said:

They didnt show the trade but it might have included 111

Yeah my guess too - so 8 and 111 for 11 and 43. 

 I also have a hard time seeing Grant lasting that long - T Sweat did, but dropped bc of character concerns. 

From a write up and prospect spotlight standpoint this is nice, but from a predictive side, not so sure. 

[KaseKlosed]

2 hours ago, Bear Hands said:

Fun write up. 

I like the idea of Golden for us but I’m just unsure if that’s where our FO’s head is at Round 1. Think he could be a great fit for our offense.

So this scenario assumes SF trades 43 and 11 for 8?

Ill be honest, not the biggest Kennard fan but otherwise good stuff.

Trade was SF received 8 and 111 and Panthers received 11 and 43 

[Basbear]

If they drafted grant, Schwesinger, and Kennard in rounds 2-3, IDGAF about the rest of the draft. Those 3 should make this draft a clear winner and infuse talent on this soft-ass defense. 

 

Now to poop on the dream, 99.99999% each of them will be drafted before they were in this draft. Nice dream tho.. 

[DaveThePanther2008]

Interesting draft.  I just don't know about taking a WR in round one regardless.  We trade down we should get the best Edge or DT available.

Here's one I did.  Actually one of my favorite simulated drafts I've done.

Traded Down in Round One from 8 to 15 and picked up 46

Traded 15 for 16 and picked up 78